Current Time in Garissa
Kenya's culture of time
Kenya's culture of time
The sense of "African time"
Kenya's sense of time is different from that of Japan and Western countries, and a flexible sense of time called "African time" is common. People often arrive late for appointments, and delays of about 10 to 30 minutes are often tolerated in this culture.
Religious time rhythm
In areas with a large Muslim population, prayer times (salaat) are important several times a day, and prayer time is set aside between work and school. Time is closely related to faith.
Tendency to live a morning-oriented life
A lifestyle that makes the most of daylight hours is deeply rooted, and many people start their activities early in the morning, even in urban areas. Markets and transportation also tend to open early in the morning, and few open late at night.
Kenyan values regarding time
How to use time with emphasis on relationships
In Kenya, people tend to value relationships over being on time. Even if you are late or have a long conversation, it can be seen as part of deepening relationships.
Flexible and tolerant attitude toward time
In business and personal life, it is a culture that tolerates unexpected delays and changes with a broad mind. People are valued for being able to adapt without rushing.
Time flows slowly in daily life
Especially in rural areas, the basic attitude is "don't rush, don't panic," and people value living in accordance with the rhythm of nature rather than being pressed for time.
Things foreigners should know about time when traveling or moving to Kenya
You should allow some leeway for appointment times
When meeting or meeting up, it is best to assume that you may be more than 10 minutes late to reduce stress. The key to a smooth relationship is not to expect too strict a sense of time from the other person.
Flexible service hours
It is not uncommon for restaurants, buses, and other services to be late or early from the scheduled time. It is important to plan your activities with ample time.
Traffic congestion has a large impact
Traffic congestion is particularly severe in Nairobi during the morning and evening rush hours, so it is easy for significant delays to occur. Make sure to leave a sufficient buffer for travel time.
Interesting trivia about time in Kenya
The culture of "not leaving until the bus is full"
Local shared buses (matatu) do not have a set departure time and wait until the capacity is filled. Buses can be more than an hour late than scheduled, which is another example of Kenya's unique time culture.
Sundays are a special day of the week
Many people go to church on Sundays, so traffic is lighter in the morning hours. Afternoons are often used for family and community gatherings, so time is used more calmly.
Weddings and ceremonies last a long time
In a traditional ceremony, the start time is just a guide and it starts when everyone is there. It's not uncommon for the event to run a few hours later than planned, and no one minds.